Voyage into Slavery. Chapter 3.
Michelle and Jane had each been given their own cabins, and both of them were thrilled at the space and luxuries it offered. Should do this more often, Michelle thought, as she eagerly unpacked her gear. Wouldn't want to leave here.
Once she'd finished unpacking, she went next door to Jane's room, and knocked. Jane allowed her in, she was just about to come out.
'Let's get a drink. 'She suggested.
Michelle agreed, and the two went in search of a bar. They found one easily enough, there were a few people here, but not many. Both got their drinks, and they sat at one of the many empty tables.
'Buisness is slow, 'Michelle commented.
Jane shrugged, 'Its still early, probably get busier later. '
Both girls had a really good look around the bar, the people visible seemed distant, not willing to be disturbed. Yet both of them noticed the european man sitting fairly close to them. His expression was bland, but not unfriendly. He noticed the girls looking at him, and he nodded politely to them. Michelle wanted to say hello, but before she could, he got up, and left the bar.
'He seemed cute. 'Jane watched him leave.
Michelle agreed, 'Let's hope we see him again, and soon. '
They then noticed something else, being a journalist had trained them to spot certain behaviour. A young woman had stood up, and followed the man out. Michelle and Jane could see that her eyes were intent on him. The girl was really beautiful, and Japanese.
'Wonder what's going on there?'Jane mused.
Michelle was keen to find out herself, but they had other things to concentrate on.
'Let's see if we can find that woman, maybe she found out what was going on here. '
Jane tried to keep a reality check, on her friend.
'If there was anything going on. Maybe nothing is. '
Michelle disagreed strongly.
'No, my source is totally reliable. If nothing was going on here, that woman would have reported back. Remember, we have access to police frequencies, if something crops up. '
Jane agreed on that It was a sneaky way to listen in, and there would have been big trouble to pay, if they'd been found out.
'Ok, so where do you want to start?' Michelle finished her drink,
'Let's explore the ship, but get the camera. Maybe some of the crew may know something. '
Both rose, and left the bar. When they'd gone, one of the bar staff came up to their empty table, and took something from the single lamp decoration placed in the centre. It was a hidden listening device. Within moments, he and that had gone too.
Michelle and Jane had started out enthusiastically, but now, they were tired and fed up. It felt as if they'd walked for miles, down the ships passageways. Every crew member they'd asked, had been polite, but refused to be interviewed. It looked like a dead end. They both stopped for a moment, they felt as if they'd gone deeper into the ship. Although, the area was still well lit.
'Now, what?'Jane asked.
Michelle admitted, it hadn't been a good start. Yet, she sensed something was here, and she wasn't going to give up.
'Its just the first day, we've still got the cruise to enjoy. There's plenty of time. '
She leaned back into the wall, her feet killing her, when suddenly, the wall moved.
Startled, both girls could see a flight of steps, leading downward. The tiredness suddenly left both of them. Michelle glanced at her friend, then peered down.
'Right, I'll go first. 'she decided. She wasn't pleased, when she heard Jane suggest, 'Maybe we'd better leave some sign. I mean, who knows what's down there?'
Michelle was already making her way down the steps,
'There's no time. If somebody from the crew finds this, we could lose everything. Now, come on. '
Very reluctantly, Jane followed, but she sensed this was going to prove a big mistake. On previous assignments against some dangerous people, they'd always had back up, in case things got ugly. Now, they were totally on their own.
Both reached the bottom to find a pair of unguarded doors. They could hear something, it sounded like distant moaning. Michelle tested the handle, and found it opened. They both went in, Jane filming as she did so. Then, they both froze in stunned silence, as they saw the huge number of cages that held a single bound and gagged woman in them.
'Oh, no, 'was all Jane could muster. Every one of the imprisoned women made some sort of mumbled plea to them. Their eyes added emphasis to that.
'Come on, let's help them. 'Jane put the camera down, and went to one of the cages that held a young Chinese woman dressed in naval uniform, just like the First Officer Yee had been. She was expertly tied, loops of white rope almost cocooned her upper body. A large piece of black tape completely covered her mouth, making all attempts to talk impossible. She was just mumbling behind the gag, and could not make the two new arrivals aware of what she was trying to tell them. It was then, they heard the doors slam shut behind them. Both girls jumped in fright, as they spun round to face Captain Liu, Yee, and a menacing looking Chinese woman. Their fear increased rapidly.
'So nice of you to join us, ladies.' Liu chuckled, 'I knew you would find this place, it was just a matter of patience. '
Michelle suddenly found herself speaking, she could hear herself shake, as she asked, 'Why are you doing this? Who are these girls?'
Liu was kind enough to answer her, 'The answer is quite simple, my dear. It makes me and my people very rich indeed, and the girls are the reason for that. '
Both Michelle and Jane suddenly realised in horror, at what he was saying to them.
'You don't mean-'Michelle left it unfinished, she was too stunned.
Yee came in, 'Correct, and you two are our latest additions. '
Suddenly, both girls decided to make a run for it, but they didn't get far.
Both Liu and Yee easily caught them, pinning their arms behind them, and handgagged both struggling girls. Liu turned to Madam Chen,
'I'm going to enjoy this, get the ropes. '
Madam Chen gave a chilling smile at the wide eyed women, as she moved away for a moment.
Liu then spoke into Michelle's ear. 'There is nobody to hear you scream for help, that will also be attended to, but you will keep your pretty mouth shut, nod if you agree.
'Sensing their position was hopeless, as they had the upper hand, Michelle did nod. She felt his hand go away, but she couldn't resist from saying, 'You're making a big mistake kidnapping us. We'll be missed, you'll never get away with this!'
This only made their captors smile. Liu responded, 'Oh, but we will. You see, that has already been taking care off. 'His voice was making the girls skins crawl, 'By the time, somebody starts asking for you, you will be long gone'
Madam Chen returned with the ropes, and she had plenty of them.
'Excellent, Madam Chen, 'Liu complimented, 'Tie them up. '
Both girls were helpless, as their wrists were tied tightly behind them, then their ankles followed suit. The fear increased in the two girls, as they realised they were now immobile. And the ropes were still being tied around them.
Above their knees, several loops circled and tightened on their waists. Jane realised as she was being made secure, they were going to end up like the Chinese woman, she'd tried to help. More rope was encircled above and below their breasts. Every last knot was made as tight as possible.
Finally, their captors appeared pleased with their handiwork. Madam Chen then produced the roll of black duct tape. Michelle and Jane's faces were full of alarm, as they knew they were going to be gagged.
Madam Chen approached Michelle first, 'Open wide, my pretty, or would you like your friend to suffer?'Helpless, Michelle had to obey, as she opened her mouth, she felt the Chinese woman roughly stuff a white balled up cloth into it.
'Mmmmmffff! Mmmmmfff!'Michelle felt this was a highly effective gag, she then felt Madam Chen grip her chin, to close her lips, and she tore off a large strip of black tape and firmly sealed it over the girl's mouth.
Liu then looked at Jane's frightened face; she was still handgagged by Yee.
'We'll have a little bit of variety here, ' he smiled, savouring his prize. He held a large white strip of cloth, but kept it straight.
'Keep your lips closed, my dear, ' he ordered. Yee made sure that she did, as he took his hand away to do so. Before Jane could protest, Liu quickly tied the cloth over her mouth, pulling the ends tight. Jane felt the full force of it; as her lips remained locked in place, she didn't see Liu's smile of satisfaction, as he made the gag tight as possible, by fastening a strong double knot at the back of her head.
'Good, 'Liu was pleased, 'time to add two more to the collection. '
Both he and Yee picked up the tightly bound, gagged girls, as Madam Chen unlocked two more cages. Once they were both locked in, Liu smiled at both of them.
'You will stay here, until we reach Bangkok. I must insist that you will be kept bound and gagged for quite some time. Even when we put you up for display on the auction block.'
The girls looked at him even more wide eyed than ever.
'I'm sorry that your television career has ended, but at least, you have a new life beginning for you, and I'm sure you will still have an audience that will appreciate you. All that remains, is for you to appreciate your new owners. '
Both Michelle and Jane struggled to free themselves after hearing that ominous news, but they had no chance. Just like all the other bound and gagged girls, they could only vaguely mumble in protest.
Just then, a crew member came up to Yee, and reported, 'Something you should know, Sir. The Captain too. '
Both men nodded. Liu, just before he left, lovingly stroked Jane's legs. The girl flinched in revulsion at his unwelcome touch. She was full of dismay. How could she and Michelle get out of this? Tightly tied up, effectively gagged, and locked up securely, there was no escape, from what their kidnappers had in store for them. She closed her eyes, and wanted to cry.
It was then, that Liu returned to her; she tried to back away from him, but didn't get very far, due to the cage confining her.
'It appears you may have a hero, ladies. ' Liu informed them. All the women heard it, as they stared at him. 'I'm just going to find out who he is, but rest assured, you have no chance of being rescued. '
He was deadly serious, as he said the last part. Then, he told Madam Chen, 'Guard them well. I shall return later. '
The woman bowed, and then both men left. Jane and Michelle stared at each other, Who was here? Could he help them all? Hopefully, whoever it was, could, and quickly.
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